Annual London Regatta at Greenwich Yacht Club - Preview
by Clive Reffell 29 Aug 2015 11:00 BST
27 September 2015
London Regatta racing from 2013 © Clive Reffell
Greenwich hosts River Thames dinghy racing
The annual London Regatta will be hosted by Greenwich Yacht Club on Sunday 27 September. Dinghy racing for up to 50 competitors will take place on courses marked out on the River Thames between the Thames Barrier and the Emirates Cable Car.
The Thames Barrier will operate its annual test closure from 06.30 to 16.00 which will temporarily make the Thames a non-tidal waterway and commercial traffic cannot sail up and down it. This makes it a unique and safe(r) occasion for dinghy sailors without a special qualification for tidal water to sail and race on this stretch of the river.
Up to 50 entries will include competitors from Greenwich Yacht Club, Erith Yacht Club, the London Nautical School, Sea Cadets based at the London Regatta Centre, the North London Sailing Association and Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre.
Racing is due to start at 11 o'clock and will finish around 2 pm, subject to weather conditions on the day.
Spectators can watch from the Thames Path and will also be welcome at Greenwich Yacht Club, including in the Member's Bar which will be open from 12 noon. Food will be available from 2 pm.
Directions to GYC can be found at www.greenwichyachtclub.co.uk/about/contact/finding-us. Parking space will be reserved for competitors' cars and boat trailers so please use public transport or the pedestrian and cycle path alongside the Thames.